dog's life

Idioms and Phrases

A miserably unhappy existence, as in He's been leading a dog's life since his wife left him . This expression was first recorded in a 16th-century manuscript and alludes to the miserable subservient existence of dogs during this era. By the 1660s there was a proverb: “It's a dog's life, hunger and ease.”

Example Sentences

It was a hard point to decide either way, but I decided in favour of the jump, simply to save the dogs life, for I love animals.

From Project Gutenberg

I lead a dogs life, he said, but sometimes somebody throws me a bone.

From Project Gutenberg

That is because, though I lead a dogs life, nobody shall take my bone from me.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, I lead a dogs life, he said, as he planted his easel down on the gravel.

From Project Gutenberg

I want to end this dogs life, and be my own master once more.

From Project Gutenberg